The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1887-01-28
DAKOTA's CAPITAL.
An Interesting Account Of the Earl!
Days OF Bismarck.

DAKOTA's CAPITAL.
An Interesting Account OF the Early
Days OF Bismarck.
Editor Hope Pioneer:
Bismarck is located upon the right bank Of
the Missouri river, one hundred and ninety
miles directly west from Fargo, and was set
tied in 1872 by a party in tho employ Of the
Lake Superior and Puget Sound company, an
organization among those interested In the
Northern Pacific railroad for the purpose Of
speculating in townsites to be located along
the line of the road. Not foot Of land west
of Fargo on the Northern Pacific had been
surveyed, nor was there white settler at that
the attaches Of the military posts and Indian
agencies and few wood choppers along the
Missouri river.
Tho town was located upon this particular
spot for the reason, perhaps that the Missouri
river furnishes at this point the only crossing
suitable fer a railroad to be found for many
miles. Fort Abraham Lincoln Is situated upon
the right bank Of the river, opposite Bismarck.
Notwithstanding the fact that there was lit
igation among several Of the original townsite
proprietors, retarding to some extent its growth,
yet it had grown rapidly, and in 1882 had a
population of 6,0O0. Several things have con-
tributed largely to Bismarck's prominence. In
1874, Gen. Custer, then in charge of Fort Lin
coin, fitted out an expedition to the Black Hills
with view to set at rest the question as to
whether there was gold there or not The
scientific authorizes who accompanied Custer
reported that they saw no gold, and that the
rock found there was not gold bearing rock;
but soon, miners who had explored tue Hills,
| brought back a number Of specimens that set
tied the matter. The papers throughout the
country were filled with these reports. In
1876 there was stampede made for the Hills,
notwithstanding that several parties who had
reached there the year before were removed by
the government troops. In 1879 more than
one thousand teams were engaged in freight
ing between Bismarck and the Hills. The
occupation of the Hills led to the Indian war
Of 1875, the massacre of Custer and his COM
mand, and the opening Of the Yellowstone
country. Since 1873 the year that the North
ern Pacific was completed to this place, Bis
marck has been supply depot for all the gov
eminent posts this side Of the Rocky noun
tains, thousands Of tons Of government supplies
being shipped annually to and from Bismarck.
This would, Of course, furnish employment to
large Lumber OF men.
| But in 1884 Bismarck received setback
from which she has not yet recovered. In
order to secure the capital, her citizens raised,
by private subscription, about one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. 1t was generally be-
lieved that the people could we'll afford to dc
this, for if the capital were located here the
legislature would convene here, bringing some.
where from 126 to 15O individuals here during
its session, and large number of people upon
business or pleasure at other times. Besides
the territorial funds would be upon deposit
here. Their hopes have not been realized.
The town is practically bankrupt. It would
undoubtedly have weatllered the storm il the
Legislature, at their session two years ago, had
accepted the report Of the capital commission.
This, in connection with tie attempt upon the
part Of the southern members to remove the
capital to Pierre, has given feeling Of nsta-
bility to real estate. The year the capitol was
built, hundreds of capitalists from all part of
tho country came here and invested in real
estate. The boom was almost equal to that
of Winnipeg. The prices that real estate then
brought were almost fabulous. But when the
capital removal bill was introduced, specula-
tion had its bottom knocked out. Tho popuIa-
ton to-day does not exceed $500, and real
estate is dull. But Bismarck has still future
before 1t, and is destined yet 10 be the second,
II not the first, town in population and wealth
in the territory.
The capitol is situated upon hill about one
mile north of the town. 1t is substantial
structure Of brick, having length of 152 feet,
is 81 feet In breadth and three stories in height.
It is almost an exact fac sirnile OF the capitol
at St. Paul. The north and south wings and
the tower are not yet built. The cost of the
uncompleted building was about $4,000.
Tho Legislators who convened here last Tues
day, are largely farmers, conservative and in
telligent 1t is a matter Of common remark
among such men as Gov. Pierce, Judge Francis
and others that as body it is superior to any
previous territorial legislature, in that there is
an entire absence Of the wild, reckless, don't
caro- spirit which has characterized previous
legislatures. The esprit de corps of the men,
bers is an evidence that there will be less leg
isation Of a sectional nature and more that
will benefit the people Of the whole territory,
than heretofore The fact that a large number
of bills, introduced by members coming from
different parts Of the territory, and touching
the same subject, is evidence that our wants
are mutual, and that legislation will be gene
raj in its nature S.